Over the last few weeks, a number of children across the province have been left alone in vehicles in scorching temperatures. The Halton Children’s Aid Society offers the following tips for parents, caregivers and the general public to prevent more tragedies.

The facts are simple.

The temperature inside a parked car can exceed 50oC within 10 to 20 minutes on a typical Canadian summer day

Opening the window(s) slightly DOES NOT reduce the temperature

Heatstroke occurs at 40.50C

Young children, especially infants, are three to five times more sensitive to heat than adults

Rising temperatures inside a car can cause a child to suffer from heat stress, dehydration, shock and, in extreme cases, even death

Car Safety Tips

Never leave your children alone in a car, even with the windows down

If you have to leave your car, even to run a quick errand, take your children with you

Never use a car as your substitute babysitter

Do not leave your children in a car without adult supervision for any length of time—not even for a minute!

Make a habit of looking in your vehicle, front and back, before leaving — look before you leave

Lock your car and secure your keys to prevent children playing inside the car

Be especially careful if you change your routine and have someone else drive your child—follow up to ensure they arrived at their destination